Missouri City officials investigating fires

Missouri City Police and Fire Arson investigators are questioning a suspect who allegedly set several small fires on the Beltway 8 Service Road near US90A about 1:38 p.m. this afternoon.

Witnesses told officials that they observed Joseph Lavegner, 53, setting the fires about 100 yards apart and immediately notified Stafford Police, who responded to the scene.

The incident occurred in the Harris County area of Missouri City and firefighters from Missouri City, Stafford and Houston responded. Missouri City firemen put out the flames, which covered approximately ¼-acre of grass.

Due to the location of the crime, Missouri City Police have filed second-degree arson charges against the suspect and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has accepted the case.